Aquaterro

Grayman & Company – Polo Shirt

September 2nd, 2023

When I purchased my Polo Shirt a few years ago from Grayman & Co, I looked at it as more of a business casual item than something greenside. But then I ran across this photo and realized, why the heck not?

Granted, it’s not cheap, but it is very well made, from 100% Merino Wool. And for the guys who get triggered by this, it’s made in Italy (egad!).

In addition to being very comfortable, the open weave leaves it quite breathable, making it a great four season shirt.

As for operational features, the Polo incorporates slim wire-management loops, serged into the side-seams and shoulder. Additionally, webbing loops for microphone clips are sewn into the placket and under the collar flaps and the collar band features a wire pass-through channel.

Offered in Light Grey, Taupe (which I bought to blend with a wider variety of pants and jackets), Green, Very Dark Green, Dark Grey, and Very Dark Blue.

Sizing is XS -XXL in short, regular, and long lengths.

grayman.co/polo

100 Year Old WWII Veteran Awarded Green Beret and SF Tab

September 2nd, 2023

Celebrate the newest member of the Special Forces Regiment!

At the incredible age of 100, Ellsworth “Al” Johnson was awarded the Special Forces Tab and coveted Green Beret tomorrow. He just might be the last living member of the Office of Strategic Services Operational Group (OSSOG) and likely the last WWII veteran to get his SF tab!

On August 14th, 1944, Mr. Johnson bravely jumped into France as a member of OG PATRICK. His remarkable efforts helped prevent the destruction of the Eguzon Dam, one of the largest hydroelectric dams in Europe. On July 27th, 1945, Mr. Johnson jumped with the 2nd Chinese Commando into an occupied China as part of the BLUEBERRY mission, leaving an incredible mark in history. Mr. Johnson was also sent to China and trained Chinese Commandos, helping establish their first airborne capability.

In case you didn’t know, Operational Groups (OG)are the original model for the Operational Detachment Alpha (ODA). The multi-faceted mission of the Operational Groups was to organize, train, and equip local resistance organizations, and to conduct ‘hit and run’ missions against enemy-controlled roads, railways, and strong points, or to prevent their destruction by retreating enemy forces during WWII. Most members of OG were Airborne and language qualified.

To honor Ellsworth’s incredible contributions and heroism, the USASOC Deputy Commanding General Maj. Gen Patrick Roberson and the 1st Special Forces Command – Airborne Brig. Gen. Lawrence Gil Ferguson presented Mr. Johnson with a SF Tab on 1 September, 2023, officially recognizing him as a Green Beret.

SETAF-AF Welcomes New Civil Affairs Battalion

September 2nd, 2023

VICENZA, Italy – The U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) Civil Affairs Battalion conducted a change of responsibility during a ceremony Aug. 25, 2023, at Caserma Del Din, Vicenza, Italy.

During the ceremony, the 489th Civil Affairs Battalion, from Knoxville, TN, assumed responsibility as the SETAF-AF CA Battalion from the outgoing 450th Civil Affairs Battalion.

“Our Civil Affairs Battalion provides us a critical capability,” said Maj. Gen. Todd Wasmund, SETAF-AF commanding general. “They help us understand the concerns and perspectives of the civilian populations in the countries in which we partner and help to meet their needs. They help our African partners build their own capacity to increase civil-military engagement and build trust between the military and those they protect.”

SETAF-AF coordinates all U.S. Army activities in Africa in support of U.S. Africa Command and U.S. Army Europe and Africa.

The U.S. Army Reserve, Maryland-based battalion worked hand-in-hand with several African partners including Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Malawi, Liberia, Morocco, Djibouti, Kenya, Ghana, and Tunisia during their nine-month deployment to the U.S. Africa Command Area of Responsibility. Across the continent, the battalion played a vital role in fostering partnerships between the U.S. Army, host nation forces and their respective public.

Army Civil Affairs Soldiers work closely in partnership with other government agencies or the militaries of allied nations.

“I would like to thank all of our African Partners and the Soldiers of SETAF-AF for laying a solid foundation of operations for us,” said 540th Civil Affairs Battalion Commander Lt. Col. Kevin. Martin. “The past nine months has been an incredible experience, and we wouldn’t endeavor to continue forward with the mission, jointly with all partners for success.”

The incoming civil affairs battalion assumes responsibility for all Army civil affairs duties within the African continent supporting the SETAF-AF mission.

“I would like to thank the outgoing Civil Affairs Battalion for laying a solid foundation of operations for us and we will endeavor to continue forward with the mission, jointly with all partners for success,” said Lt. Col. James Favuzzi, the commander of 489th Civil Affairs Battalion.

Over the next nine months, the battalion will provide approximately 90 Soldiers, 10 civil affairs teams, and one medical functional specialist team to conduct engagements across Africa in support of SETAF-AF.

“We receive tremendous support to our mission from the U.S. Army Reserve, evidenced by the work and accomplishments of the 540th,” said Wasmund. “We’re confident that the new team from the 489th will build upon that important work in the months ahead.”

By Billy Lacroix

Rheinmetall and WilNor Governmental Services, Together with Experienced Norwegian and German Companies, Will Collaborate to Remove Unexploded Ordnance in German Waters

September 1st, 2023

By combining maritime and technical expertise, the partners will answer the request for quote issued by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection, for ordnance removal. 

With reference to an earlier statement by German Naval Yards, Rheinmetall bring together partners to answer the request for quote (RFQ) issued by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV). Complimenting experience and infrastructure make for a strong constellation between Rheinmetall, WilNor Governmental Services, and an extended group of companies. Together, the constellation brings extensive experience and technology to remove unexploded ordnance safely and responsibly.

Rheinmetall has extensive and long-standing expertise in this domain, having planned and implemented concepts and facilities for ammunition disposal for many years.¬
WilNor Governmental Services, a subsidiary company of the Wilhelmsen group, brings the logistics and maritime operations element. The Wilhelmsen group, based in Norway, is the world’s largest maritime network, with activities concentrated on providing products and services to the maritime industry, offshore logistics and technology, renewable energy, ship management, and complex logistical solutions for operating under difficult offshore conditions.

The partners plan to jointly develop and operate an innovative offshore platform for ammunition disposal. Contaminated sites will be cleaned up in a safe and responsible manner, with ammunition disposal taking place offshore at the innovative offshore platform, minimising the danger to marine life and the natural environment.

Future ocean plans
Plans for future offshore wind turbine parks in the same waters, demands a safe seabed. Enabling that reality requires responsible and safe removal of millions of tons of unexploded ordnance first. “We want to assure a cleaner and healthier marine environment. Unexploded ordnance and substances can be unstable and dangerous, and we will avoid the risk of transporting these. It is therefore important that we can safely and responsibly recover unexploded ordnance and render it harmless on the spot. We also aim to minimise the impact on the underwater world and its inhabitants, and prevent future hazards,” says Dr. Deniz Akitürk, managing director of Rheinmetall Project Solutions GmbH. “Time is of the essence because the condition of the ammunition is deteriorating. Effects on the environment are already visible.” 

The constellation of companies is ready to build a reliable unexploded ordnance value chain and look for quick implementation to start surveys and preparations early in 2024. Once all preparation and necessary regulatory processes are completed, the constellation is ready to construct the innovative offshore platform. 
The constellation companies are able to expand from pilot to a full-scale industrial level value chain that can handle more efficient multiple platforms in several operational areas simultaneously.

Forward Controls x Ghostmen Designs ALS Spring Cap

September 1st, 2023

Forward Controls and Ghostmen Designs are proud to announce the release of their new collab product, the ASC (ALS Spring Cap). This is a direct replacement for the plastic spring cap on Safariland’s 6354RDS, 6390RDS, 6360RDS, 7390RDS, and 7360RDS. The ASC is a worthy addition to the already impressive strength of Safariland’s lines of duty RDS holsters.

Machined from solid 6061 aluminum blocks and Type III anodized in black, ODG, or FDE, the ASC is strong and durable by virtue of its aluminum billet construction, with a wall that is 57% thicker. Please note that the ASC does not come with the ALS spring and mounting screw. To install the ASC, unscrew the ALS cap retaining screw, remove the factory plastic spring cap, remove the ALS spring, use a pair of needle-nose pliers to reinstall the spring in the ASC, and then reinstall the ALS cap retaining screw.

Designed and made for LE and MIL customers, the ASC stays discreet by being unadorned with any logos or engravings. As always, proudly designed and manufactured in the USA.

If you have not already heard of their flagship product, Ghostmen Designs most known for their “Portal”. Designed to allow dirt, brass, gravel, and other debris to fall out through the bottom of your Safariland holster, the Portal ensures that you can successfully re-holster your weapon and not damage it.

After seeing many agencies remove the light plug to allow debris to fall through, Ghostmen Designs realized that doing so resulted in zero protection for the weapon light and weakened the structural integrity of the holster.

The Portal is machined from T6 6061 Aluminum, is Mil-Spec anodized, and is proudly made in the USA.For more information about ASC and the Portal, please visit FCDs and Ghostmen Designs websites.

www.forwardcontrolsdesign.com/asc-als-spring-cap

ghostmendesigns.com/product/the-asc

TacJobs – 525 EMIB Seeks WOs, CPTs, MAJs

September 1st, 2023

If you want to serve at Fort’s Liberty, Stewart and Campbell in the 525th E-MIB, please review the flyer below for positions in the 24-02 AIM Marketplace!!

We are looking for Warrant Officers, Captains, and Majors that want to serve in the XVIII Airborne Corps and in the Army’s premiere Expeditionary Military Intelligence Brigade.

If interested, please contact our POCs below:

Deputy Commander: MAJ Chris Mitrevski (christopher.g.mitrevski.mil@army.mil)

Brigade S-1: MAJ Juliette Gula (juliette.e.gula.mil@army.mil),

Command Chief Warrant Officer: CW4 Chuck Damboise (chuck.s.damboise.mil@army.mil)

Mehler Vario System Group to Exhibit at September’s DSEI 2023

September 1st, 2023

FULDA, GERMANY (August 31, 2023)— Mehler Vario System Group with the parent company Mehler Vario System and its subsidiaries Mehler Engineered Defence, Lindnerhof-Taktik, and UF PRO will exhibit at this year’s Defence Systems and Equipment International (DSEI) Exhibition and Conference in London. Each of the group’s companies will present its signature wares in the field of ballistic protection systems, tactical clothing and carrying systems.

For approximately 15 years, the semi-annual DSEI show has been one of the largest and most important defence and security equipment exhibitions in the world. This year´s exhibition begins 12 September and continues through 15 September. It will be held at ExCeL London, an international exhibition and convention centre in the Custom House area of Newham, East Londo. Mehler Vario System Group has been assigned to joint stand H5-410.

Mehler´s newest ballistic protection systems

Mehler Vario System—a European market leader in the field of ballistics—will showcase its newest personal and ballistic protection systems. Among them will be the Mehler FlexGuard soft-ballistic panel for women along with a selection of shaped women’s ballistic plates and the cutting-edge M.U.S.T. modular protection system.

Mehler Engineered Defence—an experienced engineering partner—will present its full STANAG 4569 Level 1 to X protection programme, which is designed to protect against KE, shaped charges, and mines.

Heavy Load Carrying System as Lindnerhof-Taktik´s latest advancement

Specialised gear manufacturer Lindnerhof-Taktik plan to once more break new ground at DSEI with a showcase of their latest lightweight, high-quality modular carrying systems, led by the Heavy Load Carrying System. The Heavy Load Carrying System offers operators a highly modular and adjustable solution with industry-leading 3D stability while carrying loads exceeding 20 kg. With superior freedom of load selection and mounting options, it represents an ideal solution for operators seeking a system that makes it possible to tote significant weight while at the same time meaningfully minimising fatigue.

Lindnerhof-Taktik will also be displaying its top-of-the-line plate carriers, modular pouches, and tactical belts.

UF PRO´s Striker XT Gen.3 Combat Pants in the spotlight

The year’s DSEI will mark the first time UF PRO has exhibited there. Its debut appearance at DSEI bolsters UFO PRO’s brand positioning as a leading, global impact-making innovator in the field of tactical and professional gear. The company believes showgoers will be impressed by its most recent innovations, which include the Striker XT Gen.3 Combat Pants. Also front and centre will be their Pyroshell-augmented flame-retardant Striker FR BDU.

UF PRO believes that DSEI represents a great opportunity for enlightening discussions with their visitors about the future of tactical clothing.

www.m-v-s.de

 

FS Friday Focus – OD Green Silkies

September 1st, 2023

You asked, we delivered. FS Silkies are now in OD Green.

Whether you’re at the gym or shopping for groceries, FS Silkies have you covered. Paired with a deployment beard and a sweet pair of shades, these are sure to turn heads. Our friends at 1st Phorm agree.

Embrace the short shorts life and get ’em before they’re gone. No Returns — Sorry friends, if it touches junk, we can’t resell it.

Visit FirstSpear to find American Made kit and accessories, Built For The X.